Piolo Pascual: In a world class all his own

MANILA, Philippines - The next time you are having an all-girls’ night, try announcing: “Gotta go, I’m meeting Piolo Pascual tomorrow morning.” And just watch the giddiness and the sighs and screams engulf you. (Throw in a little bit of envy for good measure as well.)

The night before I interviewed Piolo Pascual regarding his newest endorsement for Century Bangus, I was bonding with my high school friends. The truth is that I didn’t even have the luxury of announcing my good fortune. As soon as we sat down, my best friend blurted out: Guess who’s interviewing Piolo Pascual tomorrow? One of my friends, perhaps the most accomplished alumna of our batch, who was once a provincial governor, and is now about to be a congresswoman, asked sheepishly, “Can you sneak me in?” I couldn’t believe that this lady, who had the command of a whole province and was now in the thick of transitioning to Congress, complete with government classes at Ateneo and meetings with other newbie legislators, would actually be willing to be smuggled into a press conference. But that’s the magic of Piolo. My friend Malu Gamboa once had to plan a tea party to help promote Kimmy Dora, Piolo’s first foray into mainstream film production, and she promised her friends that they would get to meet Piolo if they came to the party. Not a single girl declined.

Star Magic’s Johnny Manahan, aka Mr. M, who can rightfully be credited as the architect of Piolo’s career once said in an interview with YES! magazine: “If they want a star to be with Star Cinema, their bait is always Piolo. Regine (Velazquez) requested for Piolo. He’s always been our number one.”

What could be the secret of not only being the country’s ultimate heartthrob, but staying there for a good decade? Here’s a clue. At the presscon for Century Bangus, Piolo’s newest endorsement, a rather belligerent reporter was badgering Piolo, insisting that he make a comment about fellow Century endorser Derek Ramsay. Piolo just diplomatically said, “I really can’t say anything about Derek,” and then he casually placed his hand on the reporter’s arm, smiled, and laughed, and the reporter was then instantly disarmed. In fact, he may have even melted. Yes, Piolo has good looks and profound talent, but more than that, he has an instinctive and deep understanding of human nature that he can channel and control. He can show us the very best that a human being can be, and make us want to try to be our best as well.

When we newspaper writers finally got our chance to sit down with Piolo after the TV crews and the fans, he made us feel as if he was answering our questions for the very first time. I couldn’t help but think of my high school friend. If I did accede to her request and snuck her into the presscon, I am sure that she would have had the time of her life.

PHILIPPINE STAR: You portrayed one of our nation’s heroes, Ninoy Aquino. You represented the Filipino film industry in Cannes last year with the art film you produced, Manila, and at present, your face is displayed in the window of the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue, near such landmarks as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and Bergdorf Goodman. How does it feel to be the embodiment of a Pinoy national face?

PIOLO PASCUAL: It is always an honor to represent our country. In Cannes, I was so proud that I could be part of a movie that could do a lot for the prestige of an industry that has given me so much. Anything that I can do for this industry, whether to help get international recognition or provide more jobs, I will do it.

As for that exhibit in New York, it’s about branding the Filipino, and I guess I have that face that captures all the many characteristics of a Filipino. Angel Aquino is also part of it. It’s actually an exhibit that integrates different forms of art. Any chance I have to make the Philippines better known, I will do it. It’s a big responsibility. Maybe we are still a Third World country, but we can dream, we can be world class. That’s what’s good with Century Bangus, it’s a product that we as Filipinos can be proud of. Not only does it taste so good, it is harvested from the Century farms, so it doesn’t harm the environment.

What awakened your concern for the environment?

It all started with running. Of course, I run outdoors, and that’s when I realized that we’d better start doing something about the air we breathe. As a parent, I want to leave a beautiful planet for the next generation. It’s a good thing that nowadays, everyone is aware of the environment.

Do you have a favorite way of eating bangus? And what’s your favorite part of the fish?

Before, I enjoyed eating bangus that was marinated in vinegar, but now that I’ve tasted Century Bangus Tocino, I just can’t stop eating it! It’s so good! The sweetness is just right. Not to mention like all the Century Bangus product lines- fillet, frozen bangus and chunks, it’s ready to cook and ready to eat! Of course, my favorite part is the belly. As the youngest of six, I was always the one who got the belly.

The Omega-3 DHA in bangus has many health benefits: it’s good for the heart, it promotes a good memory. What are your most heartwarming memories?

Family dinners when we were still complete, when my dad was still here. Bonding with my mom. Camping with my son. Really, just the simple pleasures in life. The basic things in life. I’m a simple guy. I enjoy simple pleasures the most. If I can have eight hours of sleep or if I get to spend time with my mom, I’m happy. And I know how transient life is, so I don’t invest in what doesn’t last. Although, my biggest indulgence is eating in good restaurants!

What were you like as a child?

I remember that even then, I was prayerful. Every day, before class, I would go to the Adoration Chapel. And then we would pray the rosary at night as a family.

Now, I really want to be a pastor. But when I talked to the people in my church, one of them said, “Many other people can be pastors, but only few people can be in the entertainment business. We need you to be visible.” As my mom once told me, lead by example. You don’t have to tell people how to live but you can let them see, just by how you live, what is right. No need to preach or be self-righteous. But God put me in this life (of being well-known). And it’s a platform, it’s a way to do good, to inspire people.

Did you always know that you would use your fame for a higher purpose?

Oh, no, not at all! It took me 12 long years to figure it all out. At first, acting was just something I wanted to do. The movie set was my comfort zone. Well, it still is my comfort zone. It’s the one place where I really know what I’m doing, and I know that I’m supposed to be there. I am so happy that I get to learn so much because of my job. For my movie with Angel, I got to learn horseback riding. Then, a little Italian for Milan. But it’s also a responsibility. One of the people who pointed that out to me was my friend Keren (Pascual). He was always telling me that I should devote time to charity. So four years ago, with my family, I set up a foundation, the Hebreo 12:1 Foundation. The name comes from the verse from Hebrews: “So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.” Through this foundation, we help children, who don’t have the financial means to finish school. Many of my friends from the States contribute to this foundation. My mom is now retired so she is very busy running the foundation, talking to the kids and parents who need help.

It’s very appropriate that you chose a Biblical verse that uses running as a metaphor for life. You have become an avid runner. Why do you enjoy running so much?

Because with running you get to think, to pray, to concentrate, to meditate. I like running because there’s a goal to be reached, a finish line. Maybe you don’t meet it everyday, you won’t always reach the target, whether it’s that finish line, or a certain heart rate, but there’s always something that you do have to reach. And it’s nice that I have friends who enjoy it, too. So we get to do something that we all enjoy that’s good for our health.

Where do you run? How can you run when everywhere you go, people ask for your autograph, or ask for a photo op with you?

I run in UP or at ULTRA. Fellow runners, they respect your privacy and wait for you to finish running. We are not yet like Hollywood where the paparazzi don’t respect your privacy. Or sometimes, I’ll joke with them, “OK, if you can keep up with me, then you can have a picture.” So they run beside me and they take a picture of me running, or of all of us running together.

Who are your own icons? Who inspires you?

Well, in sports, I admire Coach Rio (de Guzman), simply because he got me into running. And the triathlete Jojo Manalastas. They’re both very simple, humble guys. In acting, I admire Will Smith, Robin Williams, and Johnny Depp. They’re all very different actors, but what they have in common is that they can do many different things. They are always searching for new things to do. And they all have comic timing. I don’t have that but I admire that in other actors. I also want to be able to do many different things. That’s why now, I’m training for a triathlon.

Well, you also tried movie producing and became very successful at it.

Yes, now, we are planning for a sequel for Kimmy Dora. I’m also going to be in a movie with Zaijian (Jaranilla, best known as Santino, in May Bukas Pa). There’s also going to be a movie with KC, and sadly, I still can’t discuss any of this yet. But they are all exciting projects.

In my heart, I want to be a director, but now is not yet the time.

As a known health buff, would you ever risk your health and gain weight for a role, just like Matt Damon, George Clooney and Robert de Niro?

Funny that you should ask that, because, now, actually, a director is asking me to gain weight for a role. The director even wants me to have a big stomach! We might have to just find a pillow for me to wear, because it’s so hard to gain weight. Then, after the role, it will be even harder to lose the weight. And I’m already so conscious of my healthy habits that I can’t let them go!

What is the best part about being Piolo Pascual?

Hmmm, well, just recently, I attended my high school reunion, and I began to think just how blessed I truly am ... I am so blessed and so I take care of what has been given to me. I don’t take anything for granted. And I know that I can’t be acting forever, and that’s why I thought of venturing into producing.

I am not as eloquent as I would like to be. But through the years, I have become more responsible, I have become more aware.

Tell us something that we don’t know about you.

Well, I still consider myself a shy person.